Sizing Europe is the star name among a fascinating field of eight runners in the PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park today.

Trainer Henry de Bromhead will step up Sizing Europe’s Cheltenham Festival preparations when he runs the 11-year-old in the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown on Sunday.

Sizing Europe passed his final serious test before the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase with a satisfactory workout at the Curragh yesterday.

SIZING Europe proved himself on course for the defence of his two-mile crown at Cheltenham next month when slamming arch-rival Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown yesterday.

SYRIA incurred more EU sanctions and criticism from Turkey and Jordan yesterday after a surprise Arab League decision to suspend it for failing to halt months of violence aimed at crushing opposition to President Bashar al-Assad.

EUROPE’s response to the sovereign debt crisis spreading across the eurozone and threatening the global economy has been “disappointing” and has allowed the problem to grow, according to an international finance minister.

EUROPE needs to “get its act together” and deal with its worsening sovereign debt crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said yesterday,warning of the risk of severe global repercussions.

FRANCE has scuppered hopes of an immediate cut in bailout interest rates after the row over Irish corporation tax levels re-ignited.

KAUTO STAR showed his well-being ahead of the Guinness Gold Cup at the Punchestown Festival with a pleasing piece of work at the weekend.

A COMMON EU-wide corporate tax system would save companies €1.3 billion in the first year but would cause a loss of revenue to member states, according to the European Commission.

TÁNAISTE Mary Coughlan denied she has been “hidden away” by Fianna Fáil during the election campaign in case she causes further damage to the party’s reputation.

LEGAL experts are examining the Lisbon Treaty to see if it is possible to make the changes Germany wants without holding a referendum.

OPPONENTS of proposals for a government of national unity or even a cross-party pact on the budget might rightly wonder why they bothered casting their vote at the last general election.

Passport services could be shifted to another department or even outsourced to private operators as the applications backlog smashed the 50,000 barrier, top Government officials warned today.

SIZING EUROPE finally delivered on the biggest stage of all when landing the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham yesterday.

The Lisbon Treaty is being “fast-tracked” through the Czech constitutional court to end the uncertainty over its future as soon as possible, the Czech prime minister said today.

SINN Fein’s leader in the Dáil, Caoimhghín O Caoláin, has dismissed claims of a difference of opinion on the Lisbon Treaty between the party’s North and South organisations.

A MINISTER admitted staying in a €1,500 a night Paris hotel, in defence of “humble” Dáil Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue as new revelations over the lavishness of his taxpayer-funded trips abroad emerged.

Caroline Flint has left the Government after resigning as Europe Minister, Gordon Brown announced tonight.

THE budget is still nearly three weeks away and speculation is already mounting about the Government’s ability to get it through the Dáil. Against all expectations when this government was formed, the Greens have developed a limpet-like grip on power. Only grim death will separate them from ministerial office, it seems.

SIZING EUROPE, who has been struggling to find his best form, will miss Sunday’s Toshiba Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

YOU report (January 9) that a Government think-tank has called for an annual tax on homes to replace falling revenue from stamp duty.

HENRY de Bromhead is hoping a return to form for his string can see stable star Sizing Europe bounce back to his best in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 25.

Opposition parties and anti-Lisbon Treaty groups today rounded on Europe Minister Dick Roche after he claimed a second referendum on the controversial document may be necessary.

EUROPE is the world leader in producing ecstasy and amphetamines but the authorities are trying a new way to tackle this illegal trade.

At midnight tonight, Ireland ends one of the most successful EU presidencies ever, greatly enhancing the country’s reputation, writes Europe Correspondent Ann Cahill

European Union countries are not doing enough to tackle terrorism, Ireland’s Europe minister warned today.

European of the Year Senator Maurice Hayes has voiced his concerns at plans to push ahead with a "two-speed Europe" by some of the EU's larger countries.

EUROPE moved a step closer to appointing a president yesterday as the Convention on the Future of the EU entered its final month.

British Minister for Europe Peter Hain has warned Osama bin Laden is planning fresh terrorist attacks over the coming weeks.

Keith Vaz has been taken to hospital after he passed out in his office.